And Know.

I've written about this before. But it's something I needed to hear again today. Perhaps you do as well.


Pascal, the French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher of days gone by, said,  "Nearly all the ills of life spring from this simple source: that we are not able to sit still in a room."

God said, "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)

When we read that verse, we tend to focus on the first phrase.  Be still.  And of course, that's an important part of the verse.

Be still.  Or, as the NASB renders the verse, cease striving.  The Amplified Bible puts it this way:  Let be and be still.

But let's not forget the rest of the verse.  Just being still, as important as that is, is not enough. 

Be still, and know that I am God.

Don't forget the "and know" part of the verse.

Again, let's look to the Amplified Bible for clarification.  Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God.

Be still.  That's important.  Cease striving.  Stop worrying.  Be aware.

And know.  Not just give mental assent to.  Recognize and understand in the very core of your being.  Know.  Know that you know that you know. 

Recognize and understand who God is. 

Certainly He is a loving God.  He is also a just God.  A righteous God.  A providing God.  He is a Sovereign God. 

Be still and know that I am God. 

Whatever the circumstances of your life.  Whatever decisions you are facing.  Whatever emotional upheaval may encompass you today.  Whatever.  In every circumstance of life.  In the big things and in the little things.  Know this.  He is God.

There is nothing facing you or me today that He can't handle.  Because He is God.

Think about that today.  Ponder that.  Live in light of that.  Be still.  And know.

"Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted among the earth!"  (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

A New Normal. The Journey Continues.

As I was checking my Facebook messages this morning, I was reminded that on this day last year I wrote a blog post titled "A New Normal". Since that time, a lot has changed. Many things in my life post-stroke continue to improve. But the fact remains that my "normal" has changed a lot in the last 14 months. One day life was normal. And then it wasn't. On that day in mid-November 2016 when I had a stroke, "normal" was forever changed.

Today I have much to celebrate. Today I have many reasons to give thanks. Today is a good day!

Back in November 2016, things were not so good. On this day, there were a lot of questions. Would I wake up? If I did wake up, would I be able to speak. Would I be able to use my hand. If I did wake up, exactly what would my life be like? I'm thankful that I was unaware of that, and even more thankful for all of the people who were praying for me on that day, and who continue to pray for me as my recovery continues.

Today I'm celebrating those prayers. Celebrating a faithful God who hears and answers prayer! Celebrating that not only did I wake up after what we have come to refer to as "the event", but I am healthy and happy and loving my life! Yes, my life has a new "normal", but life is good and I am so blessed!

I am still frequently asked if I am back to normal. I'm asked if I am "100%". The answer to that is "no", not 100%. Not "normal" as I used to know it. But still making progress!

To bring you up to date, and for those who are new to this journey, I regained the use of my right arm before I left the hospital, and after weeks of therapy I have regained most of my strength on that side. These days I'm able to participate in an exercise class several times a week, and do most physical activity. I no longer have double vision to contend with. And my speech (reading, writing, speaking) are pretty much "normal", at least most of the time. I still get words jumbled up, especially when I'm tired, and I sometimes get "stuck" on a word, but that part of my life is going very well.

My writing skills continue to improve. Throughout this process, I have had trouble understanding why it is so much easier for me to "write" on the computer keyboard than to use paper or my phone, but typing continues to be the method by which I am best able to communicate. My written communication continues to improve, although it is still a long way from what it once was. Whereas it was once easy for me to sit at the computer each morning and compose a blog for the day, most days my brain just won't put coherent thoughts together. Some days it works, and some days, not so much. That's my new normal.

Reading remains the most challenging. But I have made remarkable progress. This time last year, I could read short words and phrases, occasionally a paragraph or two, but it was a slow, painstaking process. I'm thankful that all my efforts in therapy yielded a good result! My therapist always used to remind me that it would take time, and that improvement would continue even after I finished my therapy. I confess that I didn't really believe her, but she was right!

There have been a couple of significant milestones recently. On Monday of this week, I went to lunch with several friends. On that day, for the first time since before the stroke, I was able to write my own tip. The bill was one of those that lists various tip amounts, but I was able to copy from that number onto the check, add the two numbers together correctly, and then sign the ticket. That is a major milestone. Anything to do with numbers has been a real problem for me, so this is a tremendous accomplishment!

Another milestone in my journey was joining the church choir a couple of weeks ago. I still can't play the piano at anything approaching the ability I had previously, but I enjoy playing a few simple hymns. (And I'm talking about very simple ones!) But music is such a part of my life that I wanted to try choir and see if I could do it. It's still really, really hard to read the words and the notes at the same time. And I'm exhausted by the time choir practice is over because my brain has to work so hard to get all the parts working at the same time. But, oh how I am loving being in choir again! How thankful I am to have regained at least some of this ability! No, it isn't what it once was, but  the "new normal" is so much better than I ever imagined it would be, and I am so thankful!

Life in the last 14 months has been challenging. And frustrating. And exhausting! But these have been months of great blessing and encouragement. Months that have grown my faith. That have blessed me beyond measure! And I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Yes, my "normal" has changed. But my God has not changed. And these months since my stroke have only deepened my love for Him. I am so grateful for all of you who have prayed for me and who continue to pray. You have blessed me beyond words!

As I reflect back, and as I think about my "new normal", I am so thankful! God has been so good to me, and I give Him all the glory for all He has done!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name."
(Psalm 103:1)

Even on a dreary Thursday.....

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name."        
(Psalm 103:1 NASB)



For another day of life, bless the Lord, O my soul.

For a good night of rest, bless the Lord, O my soul.

For a comfortable chair and a good cup of coffee, bless the Lord, O my soul.

For my church family yesterday, bless the Lord, O my soul.


For the ability to go to choir practice last night for the first time in a very long time, bless the Lord, O my soul.


For the ability not only to be there, but to (most of the time) be able to follow the music, bless the Lord, O my soul.

For the encouragement of the Scriptures, bless the Lord, O my soul.

For my family, bless the Lord, O my soul.

For my friends, near and far, bless the Lord, O my soul.

For the privilege of prayer, bless the Lord, O my soul.

For a roof over my head and all the comforts of my home, bless the Lord, O my soul.

For all the blessings of my life, and they are many indeed, bless the Lord, O my soul.

Even on a dreary Thursday, bless the Lord, O my soul.




"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things."  (Psalm 103:2-5a NASB)

Un-decorating

It's that time again. Christmas is behind us and now it's time for the clean-up. Time for the un-decorating. Which is not nearly as much fun as the decorating! Time to put away all the decorations until next year. And there's the inevitable cleaning and sorting and organizing that is part of the process. It would, of course, be much easier to just dump the whole lot into a box, put it in the storage room and close the door. Out of sight, out of mind.....right??!! The problem with that scenario is that eventually it still needs to be dealt with. To just chuck it all into a box now without some sorting and organizing is only delaying the inevitable. And likely would result in some lost or broken bits as well.

So, I'll take the time to sort it all out properly. To organize and pack away carefully. This may take a while, but it will be worth it.

As we're facing this new year with all its uncertainties, the tendency is often to just "dump" all our problems and insecurities and questions into a "box" at the back of our minds, rather than dealing with whatever our issues are. Perhaps during the decoration clean-up (in-decorating) we might also spend a little time thinking about our "stuff"......whatever in our lives that needs some clean-up or some reorganizing.....rather than just continuing to ignore it.

This morning I have been recalling some Christmases gone by. About 5 years ago I remember that of the things that made me happiest over that Christmas season was when one of my sons cut down a tree for us. That tree had been driving me crazy for a while. It was just tall enough to block the view out our front window, yet not tall enough to be useful for shading the porch. It was mostly a nuisance. And every time I sat at the table and looked out the window, I was aggravated by that tree. I am so very glad that aggravation was finally dealt with.


At the beginning of this Christmas season, we began sorting through all the many decorations we have accumulated over the years. We have a lot of stuff! And most of it we not longer use. It just takes up space. The goal this year is to eliminate all the excess, but dealing with it may be put off just a bit longer, since it's just too cold right now to get out in the garage and sort it out. But deal with it I will. And I know that when that is done, I am going to be just has happy and relieved as I was when that tree in the mountains was cut down!

What about you? Do you have any "stuff" that needs to be eliminated?


As we begin this new year, here are a few questions to consider. What needs to be dealt with in your life? What are you just shoving in a box and not dealing with? What's blocking your view?

Something to think about.

"casting all your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you."  (1 Peter 5:7 ESV)

A Prayer for the New Year

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2018!  Do you remember when that sounded so strange? When any year beginning with 20.. sounded odd? Yet here we are, already to 2018!

When I began blogging on New Year's Eve 2008, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. In the beginning, in many ways, it was a lot like talking to myself, or perhaps talking to an imaginary friend across the table! Along the way it has become a vehicle for me to share what God is teaching me. Through everyday life experiences. Through what I read, whether in Scripture or elsewhere. It has become a place to sit and think, to reflect on life lessons. And a place to share these life experiences and life lessons with others. Along the way, I've tried to share honestly from my heart, and it has been my hope that in some small way, the words I write will be an encouragement to someone somewhere.

When I began, I had no idea that I would still be writing when 2018 rolled around. Or that I would publish two books. Or that other books would be in the works. (After this last year, I'm really amazed by that!)


I had no idea back in 2008 how many people would read the words I have written. No idea how hearing from those who read my words would encourage me.

I had no idea. But God did. 

And as this blogging journey continues in to this new year, I have no idea where it will take me. But God does.

"Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established."   
  (Proverbs 16:3 NASB)


As one year ends and another begins, I want to thank you for stopping by. And I want to offer my very best wishes for a Happy New Year, a year of joy and peace and our Father's bountiful blessings!  As we begin this new year, this is my prayer for each of us:



Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be,

In working or in waiting, Another year with Thee;

Another year of leaning Upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of mercies,Of faithfulness and grace;

Another year of gladness In the shining of Thy face;
Another year of progress, Another year of praise;

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of service, Of witness for Thy love;

Another year of training For holier work above.

Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be

On earth, or else in heaven, Another year for Thee.

 -Frances R. Havergal